Kehoe announces partnership with CMS to strengthen Medicaid integrity

(From Gov. Mike Kehoe)

Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced that the State of Missouri has officially notified the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of its intent to launch an accelerated, off-cycle revalidation of high-risk Medicaid providers. This initiative, part of a coordinated "War on Fraud" alongside federal partners, reinforces Missouri's longstanding commitment to ensuring taxpayer dollars are reserved for the state's most vulnerable citizens.

In a letter sent to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Governor Kehoe expressed his appreciation for the federal administration’s renewed focus on program integrity and their "detect and deploy" strategy to root out corruption within the Medicaid system.

"Missouri has always been a leader in protecting taxpayer resources, and we are proud to stand with Dr. Oz and the Trump Administration in this critical mission," said Governor Mike Kehoe. "Fraud, waste, and abuse have no place in our state. By accelerating our revalidation process for high-risk providers, particularly those operating without standard identifiers, we are sending a clear message: Missouri will not tolerate criminal actors who attempt to steal resources from the seniors, children, and people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid."

The Missouri Department of Social Services, through the MO HealthNet Division, will implement a high-risk provider revalidation strategy beginning May 5, 2026. This effort will prioritize provider types historically vulnerable to fraudulent activity, including those without National Provider Identifiers (NPIs). The Division is also developing a two-year comprehensive provider revalidation strategy within the next 30 days.

"Our team is already moving to implement these enhanced screening protocols," said Josh Moore, Director of the MO HealthNet Division. "We are committed to a transparent and rigorous process that supports honest, hardworking healthcare providers while removing those who seek to exploit the system for personal gain."

Governor Kehoe has directed state agencies to coordinate closely with CMS to ensure Missouri remains at the forefront of national efforts to modernize and secure the Medicaid program.